I grab some paper towels and start to dab at the coffee mark.
“Just go put on something else,” he says again.
“I have nothing else,” I snap as I toss the towel in the trash. “This is my best blouse.”
“Let’s go -”
“Don’t even go there,” I wa
rn him as I position my hair over the stain.
He comes to stand in front of me and lifts my face so I’m forced to look at him.
“Why did you check on me last night when I walked into the safety gate at the bottom of the stairs?”
I shrug not sure where he’s heading with this. I force the words out. “’Cause I care,” I huff.
The look on his face changes and it makes a nervous feeling explode in my stomach.
“I tried to see this for what it is, the mother of my child moving in so our daughter can have both her parents. I keep telling myself that you’re just doing what’s right for Daniele.”
He frames my face with both his hands and our eyes lock. Tension starts to crackle between us and there’s no denying that our attraction for each other is still very much alive.
Placing my hand over his, I lean my face into his right hand. He brings his other hand to my hip, pulling me a little closer and it makes my heart beat wildly in my chest.
We just look at each other, while the attraction between us hangs in the air.
“I understand that you’re cautious and used to doing your own thing,” he whispers. “So much has changed and it will take time for the dust to settle. But, Della, I don’t just want to take care of our daughter. I still want to try with you. I want to take care of you. And Jamie.“
I hear his words and I’d love nothing more than an instant happily ever after, but that’s not how life works.
“We can’t just pick up where we left off, Carter. We were stupid. We got swept up in all the excitement of finally being finished with our studies. We have Daniele now. What if it doesn’t work out between us? What do we do then?”
“That’s a chance I’m willing to take,” he says. “Look, I’m not saying we should jump into bed right away. We live together now. It’s not like you can date. I can’t bring someone over. We might as well try.”
I pull away from him and frown. “I’m not going to be some consolation prize, Carter. If you want to screw someone then go ahead. All I ask is that you keep your women away from our daughter. As for me, I haven’t dated in four years, and I’m not about to start.”
I’ve forgotten how fast he moves. His hands are back on my face, keeping me from pulling away. The second I realize he’s going to kiss me, it feels as if everything comes to a standstill.
His mouth crashes against mine and the intense wave of emotions that comes along with it, makes me lose my breath. His body pushes against mine until I bump into the counter. I grab hold of his sides as his tongue forcefully starts to dance with mine. He moves his hands to my backside, and picking me up, he sets me down on the counter. His strong body forces my legs open and he steps in between them. I feel his hardness straining through his pants and it makes my insides quiver with want.
He pulls away slightly and our racing breaths are all you can hear for a moment.
“I said I’d kiss you to shut you up. Next time I’m throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you upstairs.”
I swallow hard and tell myself it’s only lust that’s making me like that idea.
He tucks my hair behind my ears and then frames my jaw.
“You can’t tell me you didn’t feel that. Let’s try, Della. We deserve a chance. We can take it slow.”
“Really slow,” I whisper. I just hope I don’t regret this.
CHAPTER 15
DELLA
Carter wanted to show me to where I will be working, but I quickly stopped him. I have to do this on my own. I don’t want to be favored or hated because I know the boss.